Oldham boss Richie Wellens accuses players of lacking heart after relegation
Saturday 5 May 2018 21:11, UK
Oldham manager Richie Wellens accused some of his players of lacking “heart and desire” after they were relegated to League Two with Saturday’s final day 2-2 draw at Northampton.
The Latics would have stayed up with victory but, despite taking the lead through George Edmundson, they could only manage a draw at Sixfields and that sent them down due to Rochdale’s win over Charlton.
The Cobblers, who were also relegated on the same afternoon, levelled through Matt Grimes’ penalty before a close-range finish from Ash Taylor gave them the lead at half-time, only for Thomas Haymer to peg them back.
Wellens said: “We started well but it was a ridiculous mistake to give the penalty away and then their lad has a shot from 20 yards and the goalkeeper’s just got to push it around the post but he drops it and they put it in the net.
“We responded really well but we conceded two really, really poor goals.
“I thank the players in the dressing room because the majority of them give absolutely everything in training.
“There are some players that let the group down and, all in all, it’s probably cost us. The players who are successful at this level have character and they show heart and desire. That’s what the Oldham fans want but it’s just a shame that some don’t do that.
“We’ve made too many individual mistakes throughout the season and that’s why we’re in this position, and I think the injuries have caught up with us as well because we’ve got a lot of players out.
“It’s just really hard for me to speak at the moment.”
